Backyard cottages are all the rage and David Baker of <a href="http://www.dbarchitect.com/" target="_blank">David Baker + Partners Architect</a> recently completed his <a href="http://zerocottage.net/" target="_blank">Zero Cottage</a>—a super-sustainable auxiliary dwelling unit. Built on top of an existing workshop, the two story cottage has already achieved <a href="https://new.usgbc.org/leed/rating-systems/homes" target="_blank">LEED Platinum</a> certification (in addition to receiving 203 points through <a href="http://www.builditgreen.org/greenpoint-rated/" target="_blank">GreenPointRated</a>), and it's also targeting <a href="http://www.passivehouse.us/passiveHouse/PHIUSHome.html" target="_blank">Passive House</a> certification. The Zero Cottage was built using recycled materials, and it features a green rooftop garden and a unique rainscreen made from metal tiles and charred timber.

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Zero Cottage-David Baker

<a href="http://zerocottage.net/" target="_blank">Zero Cottage</a> is located in the backyard of an urban lot in the Mission District fronted by <a href="http://www.storefrontlab.org/" target="_blank">StoreFrontLab</a>, a community-focused cultural initiative that gives the historic commercial space a new public purpose run by David Baker and his partner, Yosh Asato.

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Zero Cottage-David Baker

Built on top of an existing workshop, the cottage features an efficient two-level plan that makes the most of the modest space.

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Zero Cottage-David Baker

Windows are sited for daylighting, privacy and to frame views of the city, while a skylight in the roof draws light into the bedroom below.

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Zero Cottage-David Baker

Custom furniture and cabinetry were built by associates of David Baker using recycled and reclaimed materials including floors made from salvaged wood.

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Zero Cottage-David Baker

The cottage has a tight and efficient envelope with triple glazed windows, a high level of insulation, and a HRV that eliminates the need for conventional heating.

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Zero Cottage-David Baker

A 3 kW photovoltaic system on the roof provides more than enough power for the cottage and doubles as an entry stair canopy.

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Zero Cottage-David Baker

On the exterior is a unique rainscreen created by recycled and new metal tiles using a system designed and prototyped by <a href="http://www.dbarchitect.com/" target="_blank">Dbarchitect</a>.

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Zero Cottage-David Baker

Then the roof is vegetated with a container garden fashioned from used Ducati tires by David Fletcher of Fletcher Studio.

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Zero Cottage-David Baker

Custom facade planters using the metal tile system.

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Zero Cottage-David Baker

Detail of the tile facade.

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Zero Cottage-David Baker

<a href="http://www.dbarchitect.com/project_detail/153/Zero%20Cottage.html" target="_blank">Zero Cottage</a> can be rented out through AirBnB and is expected soon to have its Passive House certification along with its other impressive credintials.

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Zero Cottage-David Baker

Renderings of the Zero Cottage.

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Zero Cottage-David Baker

Site plan of the Zero Cottage.

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Zero Cottage-David Baker

Backyard cottages are all the rage and David Baker of David Baker + Partners Architect recently completed his Zero Cottage—a super-sustainable auxiliary dwelling unit. Built on top of an existing workshop, the two story cottage has already achieved LEED Platinum certification (in addition to receiving 203 points through GreenPointRated), and it's also targeting Passive House certification. The Zero Cottage was built using recycled materials, and it features a green rooftop garden and a unique rainscreen made from metal tiles and charred timber.